Thursday, March 11, 2010

Lady Gaga and Beyonce have unveiled the music video for their latest collaboration "Telephone."

Directed by Jonas Akerland, the video in based in a women's prison and pages serious homage to Quentin Tarantino, as Beyonce drives a Pussy Wagon (Kill Bill) and is named "Honey Bee" (after Pulp Fiction's "Honey Bunny"). The video also features cameos by Tyrese Gibson, Semi Precious Weapons and Jai Rodriguez.

Our favorite segment was of course "Poison TV," and a close second was the hilarious confirmation that Gaga is in fact, a lady.

"You come off [Idol] and all of a sudden you are put in this machine and puppeted into this product. That's not my experience at all. I'm a pretty outspoken, upfront, forward type of person, and I have opinions about what I want to be as an artist."

Last March, we reported that Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had left the group, and was replaced by Mike Byrne via open audition.

Billy Corgan found that decision to be so successful, he's now holding auditions for two open positions: keyboardist and bassist (following the departure of bassist Ginger Pooley last week).

"Although I am heartbroken that Ginger is leaving the group, I really respect her decision to put her family first," Corgan posted on the band's official website.

"We were lucky enough to find drummer Mike Byrne through an open audition process, so why not open the doors again to anyone who might be interested for the bass or keyboard position," Corgan added. "As you can see from our past and present, age, race, or a person's background is not an issue. Everyone is truly welcome to audition.”

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

We've seen pretty much everyDaniel Merriweather concert in NYC for the last two months. And we gotta admit, the kid just keeps getting better.

"I'm not cut out for the cold," the Australian-born 28-year old told the crowd at Apple's Soho store on a 40-degree Tuesday night. "But I love New York."

Merriweather tore through a selection of Love & War tracks for his new favorite city, with an accompanying acoustic guitarist and grand pianist on hand. The set included songs "Cigarettes," "Getting Out," and "Red," and Merriweather made sure the crowd understood his inspiration.

"My album's got so many experiences on it," he explained candidly. "Mainly me screwing things up in relationships in my early twenties."

The singer also got solemn for a minute, describing a time when - following an intense tour with Mark Ronson - his doctor performed on operation on his throat, leaving him voiceless for three weeks.

"[I couldn't] sing, so when I had a tune in my head, I would whistle it. [That's why there's so much] whistling on the album. It's not to annoy the fuck out of you."

The hundred-something people in the room were treated to a powerful half-hour set, including tracks like "Jerusalem," "We Will Walk," "King Without a Crown," and the Akon-featured "One Day," named the official song of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Late Night talk show host Jimmy Fallon hit the Apple Soho Store Thursday night with house band drummer Questlove of The Roots - and the two discussed everything from early show nerves to Robert Pattinson to the future of Coco.

"If it wasn't for Conan O'Brien, I would not have this job," Fallon told the audience of some 200 fans. "Conan raised the bar, he changed the game, and I love him. He's gonna end up great."

An audience member then asked Fallon if ever there was a time he was nervous to interview someone, and the comedian answered candidly: "Yeah. For the first three months."

LOL!

Fallon then cited Steve Martin, Robert DeNiro and Cheech & Chong as personal heroes/interview subjects that made him particularly sweat.

One guest that made Questlove nervous was a recent appearance by Twilight starRobert Pattinson, which the musician likened to "The Beatles on [Ed] Sullivan."

"It was like ten Jonas Brothers," Fallon added.

Fallon also compared his anxiety about choosing the right house band to "having a roommate in college."

"I didn't know if I was going to like the posters they put up. The Matrix? I don't know."

In a more serious moment, Fallon discussed the challenge he faced of hosting his show - chock-full of jokes - just seconds after he and Questlove found out about the untimely death of Michael Jackson.

"No matter what, at 12:30 at night we're gonna put on a show and make you happy," said Fallon.

Monday, March 8, 2010

A non-pregnantIvanka Trump (with husband Jared Kushner) at the launch of her 2010 Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection at Trump Park Avenue last Monday (top photo), Lil Waynefinally arriving at the New York State Supreme Court to begin his one-year prison sentence Monday (middle photo), Jennifer Knapp performing music from forthcoming record Letting Go at City Winery Friday night (bottom photo), Glenn Close filming a scene from Damages outside of the Museum of Natural History Monday, and Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil celebrating his win of the Le Meurice prize for contemporary art at the New York Palace Hotel penthouse Thursday.

Kathryn Bigelow made history Sunday night at the 82nd Academy Awards at Los Angeles' Kodak Theatre when she became the first woman to win an Oscar for directing The Hurt Locker, which scooped up six awards total, including Best Picture.

Sandra Bullock too earned her first Oscar for Best Actress in The Blind Side, while Jeff Bridges earned Best Actor for his role in Crazy Heart.
We thought Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were hilarious as feuding, unapologetic celebrity roasters... We hope to see them back next year! Check out a full list of the winners below.Best Picture:The Hurt Locker Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt LockerActor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges, Crazy HeartActress in a Leading Role:Sandra Bullock, The Blind SideActor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious BasterdsActress in a Supporting Role:Mo'Nique, PreciousOriginal Screenplay: The Hurt Locker, Mark BoalAdapted Screenplay: Precious, Geoffrey FletcherAnimated Film:UpForeign Language Film: The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos, Argentina)Original Score: Michael Giacchino, UpOriginal Song: "The Weary Kind," Music and Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett (Crazy Heart)Art Direction: AvatarCinematography:Avatar, Mauro FioreCostume Design:The Young Victoria, Sandy PowellMakeup: Star TrekFilm Editing: The Hurt Locker, Bob Murawski and Chris InnisDocumentary Feature: The CoveDocumentary Short Subject:Music by PrudenceAnimated Short Film: LogoramaLive Action Short Film: The New TenantsSound Editing:The Hurt LockerSound Mixing:The Hurt LockerVisual Effects: AvatarGovernors Award: Lauren Bacall, Roger Corman and Gordon Willis